Redefining Yacht Recruitment: How Jess Frost Is Changing the Way Crews Are Found and Valued

For over a decade, Jess Frost lived and breathed life at sea. From her first days as a young stewardess to her final seasons as Chief Stew, she experienced everything the yachting world could throw at her—long hours, tight quarters, and relentless perfection. But it was when she finally stepped ashore that she discovered her next calling: transforming how the industry finds, hires, and supports its people.

“I did the job—I get it. You can’t truly understand the crew unless you’ve been crew yourself.”

That simple statement defines a new era for yacht recruitment. Frost’s company, CrewFolio, was built on one core belief: that hiring should be human. After ten years onboard, she saw the burnout, the turnover, and the silence surrounding mental health and safety. Rather than walk away, she chose to tackle it head-on.

From Burnout to Balance

For many ex-crew, leaving the water means losing identity. Frost calls it “breaking the golden handcuffs”—the moment you realize that the freedom you once chased now comes with chains of expectation.

She remembers sitting ashore for the first time, unsure what to do with her newfound quiet. “You don’t realize how much your body’s in fight-or-flight when you’re working on yachts. It takes time to learn calm again.”

That realization became the foundation of her mission: to help others navigate the same transition with compassion and clarity.

“I’m probably at a point where I can’t really be managed anymore. I wanted to build something that gives others the control and respect I always wanted to have myself.”

Recruitment With Integrity

In an industry built on image and speed, yacht recruitment has long been plagued by shortcuts. Frost’s approach is refreshingly deliberate. Every placement begins with understanding—not just the CV, but the culture onboard and the personalities involved.

She’s unapologetically honest about her expectations. “If a client tells me the owner’s onboard only two weeks a year, I need that to be true. You can’t lie about dynamics. It’s not fair to anyone.”

Her success lies in empathy and precision—values that have earned her deep respect among crew and captains alike.

“It’s not about filling a position. It’s about creating the right relationship.”

The Industry’s Safety Reckoning

This year’s tragedies in yachting have reignited calls for reform, from better background checks to improved onboard protections. Frost has been vocal in leading that conversation.

She believes that yacht recruitment agencies have a duty to take action, not just take fees. “Background checks should be standard. It’s easy enough to do—and vital for everyone’s safety.”

Her push for accountability has inspired collaboration among recruiters, management companies, and crew advocates who share her view that safety shouldn’t be optional.

“We don’t need another tragedy to prove that things must change. We just need people to care enough to act.”

Technology, Transparency, and the Next Generation

While she values innovation, Frost cautions against removing the human touch. Artificial intelligence and automation may streamline databases, but empathy still builds trust.

“AI is great for sorting information, not for reading people,” she says. “Recruitment needs heart, not just algorithms.”

Her advice to new crew is simple: treat every opportunity as a relationship, not a transaction. In an era where social media can build—or destroy—a reputation overnight, professionalism and self-awareness are everything.

A New Standard for Yacht Recruitment

With CrewFolio, Frost has done more than launch a company—she’s helped steer an industry toward responsibility. Her method combines lived experience, emotional intelligence, and unwavering ethics. And in doing so, she’s proving that you can lead with both strength and sensitivity.

“At the end of the day, we’re not just hiring crew. We’re shaping lives, teams, and the future of this industry.”

That’s what makes Jess Frost’s story so compelling: she isn’t trying to rewrite the rulebook. She’s simply reminding yachting what it means to value people first.